NCIt definition : This region represents the germline organization of the T cell receptor beta locus.
The beta locus includes V (variable), J (joining), diversity (D), and C (constant)
segments. During T cell development, the beta chain is synthesized by a recombination
event at the DNA level joining a D segment with a J segment; a V segment is then joined
to the D-J gene. The C segment is later joined by splicing at the RNA level. Recombination
of many different V segments with several D and J segments provides a wide range of
antigen recognition. Additional diversity is attained by junctional diversity, resulting
from the random additional of nucleotides by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase.
Chromosomal abnormalities involving the T-cell receptor beta locus have been associated
with T-cell lymphomas. (from LocusLink);